The Kylemore Carols

[tericared]

The Kylemore carols are a beautiful collection of Christmas carols from the village of Kylemore.

In
the depths of harsh winter, a reminder of sacred celebration invests
these haunting old melodies, many of which are sung to this day in
Kylemore and elsewhere.

For
a sample of "The Darkest Midnight," arguably the most well-known and
loved Kylemore Carol, see track number six on the album 'To Warm the
Winter's Night.'

Traditionally carols were songs of the people sung in the vernacular and were not sung in church which had a strict Latin Canon.

 It was not until the introduction of more lenient rules under Vatican II that carols sung in English and Gaelic (Irish) were allowed to be sung in church.  Originally, carols such as these were sung in homes and communities were often part of the folk tradition.  

 
The Darkest Midnight

The darkest midnight in December
no snow nor hail nor winter storm
Shall hinder us for to remember
the babe that on this night was born
With shepherds we are come to see
this lovely infant's glorious charms
Born of a maid as the prophets said
the God of love in Mary's arms.
 
Have you not heard the sacred story,
how man was made those seats to fill
Which the fallen angels lost in glory
through their presumption, pride and will
They thought us mean for to obtain
such glorious seats and crowns in heaven
So through a cheat they got Eve to eat
the fruit to be avenged on man.
 
Ye blessed angels join our voices
let your guilded wings beat fluttering o'er
While every soul set free rejoices
and every one now must adore
We'll sing and pray that he always may
Good people one and all defend
God grant us grace in all our days
a Merry Christmas and a Happy end.

[Momma_Halo]

Dec. 2, 2010 at 10:12 AM

I remember Caroling as a young woman and going door to door in the cold. We would add more people as we went along and they would join our party. It was the most fun I had during the winter. Now with all these rules and people taking offense at everything. Caroling has pretty much become a thing of the past. Which is a shame because it is so much fun. People would hand out homemade treats and offer something warm to drink and it was a community thing.

[tericared]

Dec. 2, 2010 at 10:20 AM

We did that growing up too....Things sure are different now...

(Original Poster)

[Momma_Halo]

Dec. 2, 2010 at 10:34 AM

I wish it wasn't because I wanted to pass that on to my son. 

[Lb128f]

Dec. 2, 2010 at 11:48 AM

Thanks for sharing this!!!

[VeronicaTex]

Dec. 2, 2010 at 1:45 PM

This was so haunting a melody....Ahhhhhhhh....

A few thoughts here....Caroling.....When I was growing up in the 60s in Western Pennsylvania as a Girl Scout and Catholic daughter we would go around to houses (of course the priest's house first) and sing for people close to the church...no matter how cold it was....It was a cappella of course, and I discovered in fifth grade that I was a natural alto...I just loved it!!!  We had cookies and hot chocolate milk afterwards...

Now I am in a group called the Euterpean Club...where we ladies perform our talent....Mine is singing in Spanish, and  English, and playing the guitar to accompany myself...(.I also do folkloric dancing.)  The two selections I'm going to perform for our Christmas meeting are "The Wexford Carol" and  "Ding Dong Merrily on High"  (I practiced with Celtic Women online to figure out how I was going to do it....I believe with the Wexford Carol I'm going to use an instrumental CD and play guitar and sing...with an Irish accent......)

Thank you for sharing this artist....I see she has other songs to enjoy on YouTube....